Last Updated on September 30, 2026
Quick answer: Most summer programs for high schoolers add little admissions value, but a few highly selective ones, such as the Research Science Institute, Yale Young Global Scholars, and Wharton’s Leadership in the Business World, carry real weight. The best summer program matches your interests, whether in STEM, business, humanities, or the arts.
Top Summer Programs for High Schoolers Based on Your Interests
When planning your summer as a high school student, you might be curious about summer programs. What are top summer programs? Do they help with college admissions? Which ones are the best ones? Frankly speaking, most summer programs do not provide substantial admissions value, as we explain in our look at how admissions officers view summer plans. There are, however, a handful of highly selective summer programs that do, like Yale Young Global Scholars, Wharton Leadership in Business World, or the Research Science Institute.
Top summer programs have several pros, such as helping students identify and explore an interest. They also allow you to experience what it’s like to learn in a college environment. You can meet new friends with similar interests, find opportunities for collaboration, and even connect with professors (if the programs are taught by actual professors). If you are curious about which program you should check out based on your academic interests, this is the blog for you. [1]
Competitive Summer Program for High Schoolers of Any Academic Interest
Yale Young Global Scholars – While not explicitly a STEM or humanities program, this well-known summer program is extremely competitive and looks outstanding in your college application. Each two-week residential session at Yale offers three interdisciplinary tracks: “Innovations in Science & Technology,” “Politics of Law & Economics,” and “Solving Global Challenges.”
Top Summer Programs for STEM High School Students
MIT Research Science Institute
Each summer, about 100 high school students take part in RSI at MIT, one of the most selective summer programs for high schoolers. You have the chance of working with accomplished STEM professors who serve as mentors. Your research process starts from scratch, first reading up on existing literature in your field, then designing your research plan, carrying it out, and finally presenting the results through a conference-style oral and written report. RSI can prepare you to work on exploring issues that concern the world and help you grow into a global citizen. Participation in RSI can certainly provide you with a boost in your college applications, especially if you continue conducting research on your topic once the program is over. [2]
Stanford University Math Summer Camp (SUMaC)
If you’re leaning towards math-focused top summer programs, check out the Stanford University Mathematics Camp, or SUMaC. SUMaC enables students with an interest in math to engage in advanced courses, lectures, research, and group problem-solving. For more options, see our list of top STEM summer camps. The courses involve participants conducting a research project and presenting the results to peers. The organizers pride themselves on assigning no grade to the camp students, the sole purpose is mathematical engagement!
Penn Medical School Summer Program
If you’re planning to be a pre-med student in college or looking at BS/MD options, you could benefit greatly from this rigorous 4-week program at UPenn’s Perelman School of Medicine. [3] Not a lot of high schoolers have the chance to learn from accredited medical school faculty, take part in anatomy, pathology, and suturing labs, or observe live surgical procedures. Attending this program would be an effective way to convince admissions officers about your love for medicine, so definitely consider it.
UChicago Research in the Biological Sciences (RIBS)
At the UChicago Research in the Biological Sciences summer program, students engage with UChicago’s esteemed Biological Sciences Division. As part of this four-week camp, you get to apply your classroom knowledge to experiments and study a broad range of molecular, microbiological, and cellular biological techniques currently used in research laboratories. Selected students may return the following year to work with University of Chicago research scientists, which is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!
Top Summer Programs for Humanities and Arts Students
Stanford Humanities Institute – Stanford Summer Humanities Institute is one of the top summer programs. High school juniors and seniors explore various topics in the humanities in seminars led by distinguished Stanford professors. This program can really give you a chance to experience what it’s like to be in a Stanford classroom surrounded by critically engaged peers and take a class in a college setting. This three-week residential program covers topics ranging from Ancient Rome to the repatriation of museum artifacts.
Iowa Young Writers’ Studio
As an aspiring writer, you might have heard about the Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa. While you can’t apply to the prestigious workshop until graduate school, the university does host a summer program for young writers, known as the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio. This two-week residential creative writing program for high schoolers provides an environment to hone their craft through seminars and workshops. [4] Upon choosing a core course in poetry, fiction, creative writing, playwriting, or TV writing, you will attend courses that encourage you to improve your writing skills through peer-edits, writing exercises and activities, different approaches to writing, and constructive criticism from mentors.
Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Arts Camp
If you’re already highly talented and looking for top summer programs in the arts that can enable you to grow in your area of expertise, Interlochen Arts Camp helps high school artists work on their skills in seven areas:
- Music
- Creative Writing
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Dance
- Film & New Media
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
Each area includes a range of specific programs. For example, Film & New Media programs span animation, filmmaking, screen scoring, and screenwriting. The length of your stay at the camp depends on your concentration. All of the programs within Interlochen encourage the creation of original work as final projects. Within your niche selection, you’ll not only have the opportunity to learn from professional artists and instructors, but also to collaborate with other like-minded students and create art together.
Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute
The Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute, known as Medill Cherubs, is a journalism program that allows rising seniors to gain hands-on experience in writing, reporting, and editing for print and digital broadcasting. Especially if you’re hoping to apply to a top journalism program, participation in Medill’s program would look excellent on your profile. As part of this five-week summer institute, you’ll meet aspiring journalists from all over the world and partake in a variety of journalistic initiatives, from conducting interviews to working on stories about trending topics. You’ll also connect with Medill students, faculty, and journalism professionals. [5] Use the program to build a portfolio of writing you can share with colleges.
Top Summer Programs for Business Students
LaunchX
If you’re looking for top summer programs that push you towards creating your own startup, LaunchX should be your go-to. LaunchX is a program that helps young entrepreneurs conceptualize and get their own startups in motion. If you’ve got an idea that you’d like to develop but don’t have the resources for executing, LaunchX can help you get there. LaunchX runs in-person programs in San Diego as well as online programs. LaunchX provides students with mentorship that encourages them to make a positive impact on the world, deal with challenges, as well as practice conflict resolution and teamwork skills. In terms of admission, the committee looks for students who are ambitious and driven, excited to discover innovative opportunities, and ready to conduct market research.
Wharton Leadership in the Business World
If you’re a solid student interested in studying business, you probably have your eyes set on the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Here’s your chance to show further commitment not only to the field of business but to Wharton itself by participating in its summer program: the Wharton Leadership in the Business World. You’ll have the chance to engage in classroom discussions and learn from Wharton faculty, business leaders, and industry experts. [6]
Often at university-organized summer programs, actual professors don’t teach the courses. This is definitely a factor that distinguishes Wharton over the others because while still in high school, you’ll receive a unique opportunity to attend lectures by people who could end up as your future professors! You’ll also have the chance to network with executives as well as hone your leadership skills through team-based projects. Leadership in the Business World also helps you work on collaboration skills with your peers, and organizes cultural and social activities each weekend so you can get to know them outside the classroom.
NYU Summer at Stern
Summer at Stern is among the more course-heavy top summer programs. This NYU experience helps you build a core understanding of business concepts. Stern’s world-renowned faculty supports high school students in navigating key concepts of business that cover accounting, finance, economics, marketing, and psychology. Check the program’s current course list before you apply, since offerings can change. These courses introduce you to key business concepts at a college level. Attending Summer at Stern can also help give you a feel of what college would be like as a business student with exposure to the global business hub that is New York City.
Plan Your Most Impactful Summer
Choosing the right summer program can shape your interests, improve your college application, and help you grow in ways that truly matter. If you want help identifying the best-fit programs for your goals – and building a competitive application for selective options like RSI, YYGS, Wharton LBW, or SUMaC – our team is here to help.
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